SafeRoute: An Effective Hybrid Routing Mechanism for Enhanced Security and Reliability in UAV Networks

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) provides various benefits in commercial and emergency response applications that pose unique challenges. The intrinsic mobility often changes the UAVs network topology, which results in packet losses and routing path failures. This dynamic nature increases its demand for robust solutions to maintain stable communication and secured routing protocols to ensure reliable communication. A new mechanism called SafeRoute has been designed to provide a secure and reliable routing solution in flying ad hoc networks. The objective of SafeRoute is to efficiently exchange data in a reliable manner. The proposed technique is an efficient hybrid approach encompassing the Firefly and Dragonfly Optimization Algorithms. The Firefly Algorithm works on the principles of the flashes of fireflies, in the formation of clusters and selection of the optimal cluster head. The Dragonfly Optimization Algorithm works by optimum path selection and imitates the static and dynamic swarming behaviors of dragonflies. Initial simulations and field tests reflects a major improvement in the stability and security of networks. The packet delivery ratio increased by 25%, and routing path failures decreased by 30% compared to existing protocols. Also decreased the vulnerability of common network attacks like Sybil and wormhole attacks by 40%. These observations have firmly established the potency of SafeRoute in enhancing the reliability and security of UAV communication in dynamic, high-mobility environments.